These day , most Indian purchaser prefer agiotage smartphones over budget ones . While flagship phones offer top - of - the - line features , they also come with a goodish toll rag . That ’s where ‘ flagship - killers ’ or phones under ₹ 40,000 come in — they pack flagship - level spec at a much more affordable price , with just a few compromises here and there .
OnePlus used to whole own this blank space . But now , you ’ve got Vivo , Xiaomi , and Motorola all over the place . You ’re contract powerful processors , in high spirits - timber screen , and super - fast charging . And the camera are pretty versatile too , even if they do n’t amply hit that flagship degree .
So , if you ’re on the hunt for a premium mobile speech sound , here are some of the good options around ₹ 40,000 .
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Table of Contents
1. Vivo V50: Premium Smartphone With Zeiss Optics
Vivo ’s V - serial publication has always been know for its nifty television camera , take up Zeiss applied science from the flagship ‘ X ’ series , and the new Vivo V50 fit that template perfectly .
tv camera are the star of the show here . You get a dual 50MP frame-up — a main lense with OIS and an ultra - broad sensor . There ’s also a 50MP hired gun on the front for selfies . The Aura Light on the back can adjust its color tone using AI , or you’re able to fine-tune it manually for soft inflammation in dark photos .
If you ’re into gambling , though , this might not be your best pickax . The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 powers the gimmick — a chipping typically find in phones almost half the monetary value . That say , it still scores a respectable 0.8 million on AnTuTu and can handle most games at decent configurations .
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On the vivid side , the 6.77 - inch quad - curved AMOLED display is a treat . It gets bright enough at 1300 nits , sustain a 120Hz refresh rate , and comes with HDR10 + documentation . Other highlights include a twofold IP68 + IP69 valuation , a monumental 6000 mAh battery , and 90W loyal charging . And yes , the charger is include in the box .
Pros :
inmate :
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AnTuTu Score:0.8 million
Software Updates : Android 15 | 3 oculus sinister updates ( till Android 18 , until 2028 ) | 4 years of certificate update
Price:₹34,999 for 8GB/128 GB , ₹ 36,999 for 12GB/256 GB , and ₹ 40,999 for 12GB/512 GB .
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2. iQOO 12: The Best Gaming Phone
The iQOO 12 plunge as a flagship at ₹ 52,999 , but you may now snap up it for under ₹ 40,000 with banking company offers . And before you dismiss it as an older gadget , check out these spec : Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 , 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM , and 256 GB UFS 4.0 storage — all save cool by a 6 K Vapor Chamber Four - Zone Cooling System .
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is just one generation behind the latestSnapdragon 8 Elite . Plus , the Supercomputing Chip Q1 boost gaming with 144fps frame interposition . Add in proportionate threefold loudspeaker and 4D game vibration , and you ’ve get an immersive gaming experience .
Backing up that performance is a 6.78 - inch 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display with a 3000 - nit apex brightness . All of this is power by a 5000 mAh battery that charges fully in under 30 second with the include 120W libertine charger .
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It ’s easily the best play phone in this terms range . And do n’t worry , the cameras are n’t an rethink — you get a 50MP main sensing element , 50MP ultra - wide , and a 64MP 3x periscope telephoto lense . While it may not rival the Vivo V50 in overall figure of speech calibre , it ’s definitely the more versatile photographic camera setup .
AnTuTu Score:2.1 million
Software update : Android 15 ( upgraded from Android 14 ) | 4 group O update ( up to Android 18 , until 2028 ) | 5 years of security update
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Price:₹41,999 for 12/256 GB
3. OnePlus 13R: Great Performance and Value
Last year ’s OnePlus 12R was one of my go - to phones in the ₹ 40,000 bracket . The new OnePlus 13R might not experience as agiotage with its flat figure and less curving exhibit , but it still offers solid economic value for the Leontyne Price .
It comes with a monotonous side and front profile , an aluminum frame , and a glass back . The speech sound features a 6.78 - in 120Hz LTPO OLED showing and stereophonic speakers . Under the cowl , you ’ll find a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor , 12 GB of LPDDR5x RAM , and 256 GB of UFS 3.1 memory board — enough to go games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty with ease .
OnePlus has packed a huge 6,000 mAhsilicon carbon batteryin there , which well lasts over a day , and you’re able to fast - charge it in about an hour with the 80W transcriber . Software - wise , OxygenOS 15delivers smooth animations and coolheaded new AI features , although it could use a little more fine - tuning on the 13R.
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The cameras are n’t the phone ’s strong suit . You get a 50MP master sensing element , a 50MP 2x telephoto lens , and an 8MP ultra - wide lense . It ’s the first time a OnePlus ‘ universal gas constant ’ has featured a telephoto lense , and while the picture are middling just in daylight , they might not wow you in every situation . Plus , you ’ll enjoy Wi - Fi 7 and support forJio 5.5Gin India .
you could check out my detailedOnePlus 13R reviewhere .
Software update : Android 15 | 4 OS update ( up to Android 19 , until 2029 ) | 6 years of security department updates
Price:₹42,999 for 12/256 Gi
4. Pixel 8a: Compact, Clean Android, Great Cameras
There you go : While Google is supposed to plunge thePixel 9a soon , the Pixel 8a is currently sell at a discount Mary Leontyne Price of ₹ 37,999 on Flipkart . Once the 9a go far , it might even get punk . You ’ll want to bribe the telephone for three main reasons : its compact size , great software package support , and its tv camera .
The Pixel 8a launch withAndroid 15and will receive an impressive seven class of Android update , mean it will be updated until 2031 — the in high spirits in this terms range . The Pixel UI , with its clean Android experience and fulfill haptics , is a pleasure to habituate . Plus , there ’s no bloatware or pre - installed third - political party apps .
The 8a also boasts a very promising rear photographic camera setup . It features a 64MP main sensor and a 13MP ultra - wide lens on the back , along with a 13MP selfie photographic camera . The photographic camera shoots flagship - grad photograph with natural colors , excellent skin tone , and outstanding active range — well the best in its class , thanks to Google ’s prototype processing .
The telephone is quite compact , but that also signify it comes with a smaller 6.1 - inch , 120Hz OLED presentation and a 4492 mAh barrage ( although it still hold up a day ) with distressingly slow 18W charging . TheTensor G3 processordoesn’t help either .
Overall , choose this telephone set if you involve a clear software experience and a with child main photographic camera . If you want good cameras along with other features , the Vivo V50 still remain our pick .
AnTuTu Score:0.75 million
Software Updates : Android 15 | 7 OS Updates ( up to Android 22 , until 2031 )
Price:₹37,999 for 8/128 gigabit
5. Xiaomi 14 Civi: Compact Phone with Leica Cameras
Xiaomi 14 Civi is a great smartphone , originally establish at ₹ 42,999 but now available for under ₹ 37,000 after recent price cuts . And take care you , it ’s a compelling television camera phone with Leica - powered camera .
To start with , the Xiaomi 14 Civi is one of the lightest and slim telephone set on this list at 177 grams and 7.4 millimeter thick . It come in six unequaled color options , let in dual - timbre Panda Editions with black mirror Methedrine on a vegan leather back . Add to that the streamlined alloy frame and musculus quadriceps femoris - arc exhibit , and the speech sound really turns heads .
The phone features a 1.5 K , 6.55 - in quad - kink AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh charge per unit , up to 3000 nit of peak brightness , Dolby Vision , HDR10 + , and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection . look out Netflix is a pleasure here — the visuals are piercing , brighter , and rich in gloss . Plus , there ’s a loud stereo verbaliser with Dolby Atmos .
Let ’s talk about the cameras : it ’s got a 50MP main sensing element with an f/1.6 aperture , a 50MP 2x telephoto camera , and a 12MP ultra - wide - slant camera — all power by Leica . Daytime photos amount out with plenty of detail , honest dynamic range , and natural bokeh . Plus , the Leica filter really add life to the photos , making them look wholly unlike from any other phone . If you ’re a camera enthusiast rather than just a point - and - shoot type , you ’ll roll in the hay this gimmick .
Even the front camera is interesting — there are two 32MP shooters , one primary and one ultra - all-encompassing , so you may seize wide selfies , or as they call them , “ group - fies . ” This is one of the most fun camera phones you’re able to corrupt right now .
Despite pass a ton on the camera , Xiaomi has n’t compromise on the processor . You get the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 , whichactually performs on similar lines to the 8 Gen 2 , paired with 8/12 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 256/512 GB of UFS 4.0 repositing .
However , here ’s the con : battery animation . To keep the lightweight intent , Xiaomi had to dilute down on capacity with a 4700 mAh cell . It can be fast - charged in 45 minutes using the included 67W charger , but the phone tends to ignite up and throttle heavily under focus . So even though the operation is good , you might not really love it during long gaming sessions .
AnTuTu Score:1.5 million
Software Updates : Android 15 ( set up with Android 14 ) | 3 Android rise ( till Android 17 ) | 4 years of security updates ( until 2028 )
Price:₹37,000 for 8/256 GB , ₹ 42,999 for 12/512 GB
6. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Best Phone for the Elderly
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has received its share of criticism for its high launch price , which is why we did n’t unremarkably recommend it . However , with the late price cuts , if you ’re looking to get your parents or elders at home a new phone under 40 jet , this could be a solid alternative . Here ’s why :
On the display front , it features a 6.7 - in FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED panel that hits a peak brightness of 1900 nits , ensuring clear-cut visibility even under bright sun .
The speech sound is power by theExynos 2400e central processing unit — a slightly underclocked version of the Exynos 2400 used in the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus . It handles daily labor well , though it does warm up during gaming , so it ’s not really aimed at gamers .
It ships with Android 14 - base One UI 6.1.1 and all Galaxy AI feature , with an Android 15 - basedOne UI 7 updatecoming shortly . In fact , the phone is plant to be updated almost all the way to Android 21 — impressive software support overall .
The camera apparatus includes a 50MP main lens system , an 8MP 3x telephotograph , and a 12MP ultrawide . While it ’s a versatile setup , neither the telephoto nor the ultrawide really stand out . daytime photos come out well , but low - igniter performance and portraits are purely mean . The 10MP selfie shooter is a letdown , though .
The Galaxy S24 FE packs a modest 4,700 mAh barrage fire with 25W fast charging , which is enough for a day ’s use . On top of that , it supports 15W wireless charging for supply convenience .
AnTuTu Score:1.6 million
Software update : Android 14 - found One UI 6 | 7 years of updates ( till almost Android 21 )
Price:₹42,371 for 8/128 GB
